Michael Porter Obituary

Michael Porter Another of the last jazz musicians of the world has been lost. Born February 16, 1952, and died of Huntington's disease on July 15, 2010. He was born in Pennysylvania to Geraldine Hillard, who also died of Huntington's disease. She and Robert Porter bore four other children before she realized she had inherited the dreaded gene. Two of Mike's brothers are afflicted. Mike graduated valedictorian of his high school class in 1970. He received his B.S.'s in dual majors, music education and Mathematics and an M.S. in music education at the University of Illinois in Urbana. He was introduced to music by his Italian neighbor Grandpa Primo, who taught him how to play the accordian. His mentor in college, Ron Dewar, taught him an appreciation for traditional Jazz, but his true hero was John Coltrane and he learned, or tried to emulate and infuse his style with those beautiful bent chords. He played with humor and communicated best when he was blowin' those horns. Be it a clarinet with the JazzberryJam, or or his hip little tenor solos with the Tucson Jazz Orchestra, or improv. duos with Tony Malaby, or trading 2's and 4's with friends, he was doing what he loved best until the disease crashed into his life around 1998. His decision was not to pass the huntington's gene, but he enjoyed the children and grandchildren of his mate forever, Lee Small. There will be no service. Just light a candle and listen or play some Coltrane, Dolphy, or Monk and remember Mike. There is a Huntington's support group in Tucson. Contact psmadden@comcast for info. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Aug. 29, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Porter

9 Entries

Sara P Smith

July 18, 2025

I met Mike Porter when I was in high school, and he was a special teacher. Not officially, but I was playing in the UA Studio Jazz Band and taking lessons there, too. I was extraordinarily blessed with all I received at that age. Mike´s gifts were unique, tho. He was into concepts/harmony much further along jazz´ timeline in tsc. I often think of a pivotal moment in my musical development sitting in Mike´s living room of magnepan speakers when he played me my first Eric Dolphy. All of a sudden the wall had a window.
Just like that, one person can
audioport another person with one sound. Thank you Mike. You matter big time. I´m sorry we didn´t get to keep relating.
Enjoy the Light.

David Shore

August 23, 2022

Mike was a dear friend who I miss greatly. His commitment to the honest realization of his art was and is inspiring. He brought humor and grace to his music, his daily life, and to his illness and death. I am honored to have known him and to have shared music with him. As I said, I miss him greatly.

Margaret Morris

Planted Trees

David Shore

September 2, 2010

Mike's music and his life were filled with humor, a striving for excellence and quality, and love. He inspired me and I miss him greatly

Mark Corneliussen

August 29, 2010

As a jazz musician Mike was and avid fan of the greats: John Coltrane, Gene Ammons, Cannonball Adderly, Wagne Shorter and many more, but he didn't just imitate them. Mike took their styles and created his own sound. He was one of the most original and exciting sax and clarinet players I have ever heard.

More than that Mike was a good and generous friend. I miss him

Mark Corneliussen

August 29, 2010

As a jazz musician Mike was an avid fan of the greats: John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter. Gene Ammons, Cannoball Adderly, Monk and many more, but he didn't just imitate them, he took their styles and created a sound all his own. In his prime he was one of the most interesting and exciting sax and clarinet players I have ever heard.

More than that, Mike was a good and generous friend. I miss him.

Donna Dunham

August 29, 2010

A Reminiscence

YES, thou art gone! and never more
Thy sunny smile shall gladden me;
But I may pass the old church door,
And pace the floor that covers thee.

May stand upon the cold, damp stone,
And think that, frozen, lies below
The lightest heart that I have known,
The kindest I shall ever know.

Yet, though I cannot see thee more,
'Tis still a comfort to have seen;
And though thy transient life is o'er,
'Tis sweet to think that thou hast been;

To think a soul so near divine,
Within a form so angel fair,
United to a heart like thine,
Has gladdened once our humble sphere.

By Anne Bronte
The Poetry Foundation

Ben Sternberg

August 29, 2010

Mike was widely known for his musical accomplishments. But to many of us in the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering at the University of Arizona, he will also be remembered for his wonderful support of our students and research programs as an administrative assistant. Ben Sternberg, UA, MGE

RAY & NATALIE SUGG

August 29, 2010

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

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